South Korea Is The Hottest Winter Vacation Destination For Indian Families; Travel Interest Soars 226%
As the first wave of cool air hits the Indian subcontinent, travel fever is heating up. And this year, it’s all about chasing the chill. According to digital travel platform Agoda, Indian family travel interest in cold-weather destinations has surged 30% year-on-year for the festive and winter season (December 2025–February 2026). This is also happening because there are now easier flight connections, smoother visas, and rising curiosity about new cultures have made international winter travel far more accessible.
Goa and Bali have dropped off the vacation wishlists. Instead, Indian families are skipping beaches and heading to see snowflakes, ski slopes, and hot springs. From South Korea to Austria, the allure of winter spots around the world is growing day by day.
South Korea Tops The Charts
Leading this winter travel wave is South Korea, which has seen a jaw-dropping 226% increase in family travel interest. Whether you want to head to ski resorts in Gangwon Province or relive scenes from your favourite K-dramas, the report suggests that Indian families can’t get enough of Seoul’s winter vibes.
China’s Ice Festivals & Ancient Towns Call Indian Tourists
Next on the radar is China (+105%), where families are flocking for its Harbin Ice Festival, historical villages, and unique winter culture. You can actually walk through entire cities sculpted from ice or sipping hot tea while snow drifts outside ancient tea houses.
Kazakhstan, Japan & Taiwan Offer Culture-Infused Escapes
For those wanting something offbeat, Kazakhstan (+68%) is emerging as a new favourite with its snow-capped peaks, and vast mountain trails.
Meanwhile, Japan (+41%) continues to charm Indian families with its onsen (hot springs), ski towns, and fun-filled attractions like Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan. And then there’s Taiwan (+44%), the easy, family-friendly getaway famous for lantern festivals, night markets, and a perfect mix of city and nature.
Europe’s Winter Magic: Austria, Germany & Finland Lead The Way
Across continents, Europe remains the perennial winter dream. Austria tops the growth chart with an 82% rise in Indian travel interest, followed by Germany (+43%), Finland (+33%), Italy (+27%), and France (+20%).
These postcard-perfect countries are synonymous with Christmas markets, skiing in the Alps, and fairy-tale villages that light up during the festive season.
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